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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with business leaders Friday to explore ways federal, state and local officials can work together to improve economic conditions and create jobs. The meeting was part of a series of meetings that are being held across the country this summer with senior Administration officials on behalf of the White House Business Council and White House Rural Council. Friday's meeting was hosted by Walt Isenberg, Co-Founder, President and CEO Sage Hospitality, a local hotel and restaurant management company.

"The Obama Administration is focused on creating good-paying jobs in Colorado that help businesses grow and communities thrive," said Vilsack. "The best ideas come from the American people and this roundtable is one of many being held to get feedback on ways we can help businesses expand and improve the economic base here and across the country."

The White House Business Council's Winning the Future Roundtable with American Business is an opportunity for government leaders to hear directly from business leaders around the country about their ideas on how to grow the economy. This exchange also is intended to educate business and community leaders about USDA programs and other the resources within the Federal government to help them compete.

As chair of the White House Rural Council, Secretary Vilsack provided recommendations for investment in rural areas and Federal engagement with a variety of rural stakeholders, including agricultural organizations, small businesses, and state, local, and tribal governments.

In June, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the first White House Rural Council. Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for students in rural areas, and providing affordable health care. In the long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that America's rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining, and thriving economically.